Third-World Countries
About 795 million people worldwide are malnourished and it is estimated that one in four children are stunted, one in three in third-world countries. In places such as southern Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East, food is simply not as abundant as we are used to in North America. The food that is obtained often lacks protein, carbohydrates, fat, nutrients, minerals, electrolytes, and vitamins. This is mainly due to poverty, which includes a lack of sanitation, lack of safe drinking water, weather conditions, unreliable food production, a flawed economy, and a lack of health services. Since malnutrition increases the body's susceptibility to infections, viruses, and diseases, people in third-world countries are at a greater risk of illnesses and diseases that could lead to death. Malnutrition causes approximately 300,000 deaths a year.
The Western World
85% of Americans lack essential vitamins. As opposed to extreme weight loss, obesity can be linked to malnutrition. Unhealthy fast foods that are consumed far too frequently in North America are high in calories, sodium, saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Many are consuming enough food, but not the right food. These foods lack important nutrients needed for growth, development, and an overall healthy lifestyle.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are mental illnesses. Those who are affected often have harmful eating habits that can lead to severe consequences such as malnutrition. Some of the most common eating disorders include:
Anorexia- A condition characterized by the fear of becoming fat and or gaining weight. People who are affected go to extreme lengths to avoid consuming food, and often lie about they have eaten and therefore are undernourished.
Bulimia is an eating disorder that is characterized by binged and purged eating. Those who are affected by bulimia often eat a large quantities of food and then purge the food by inducing vomiting or taking laxatives. Those who have this form of eating disorder are malnourished as their body suffers from a lack of absorption.
Anorexia- A condition characterized by the fear of becoming fat and or gaining weight. People who are affected go to extreme lengths to avoid consuming food, and often lie about they have eaten and therefore are undernourished.
Bulimia is an eating disorder that is characterized by binged and purged eating. Those who are affected by bulimia often eat a large quantities of food and then purge the food by inducing vomiting or taking laxatives. Those who have this form of eating disorder are malnourished as their body suffers from a lack of absorption.
